Why teams matter.
Making a difference depends on people. Achieving goals is influenced by a diverse set of skills and perspectives. By working together toward a common purpose, the PA STFRI team strives to mitigate social barriers, advance evidence-based tobacco use disorder treatment and make a real difference in the lives of Pennsylvanians with behavioral health challenges.
The Team
Ryan Coffman,
MPH, CHES, CTTS-M
Tobacco Policy and Control Program Manager, Philadelphia Department of Public Health
Ryan oversees several tobacco control and policy initiatives within the Division of Chronic Disease Prevention. These initiatives include the prevention of youth initiation, promoting tobacco-free environments, mass media campaigns, tobacco control policy, and tobacco treatment services. He is committed to serving vulnerable populations disproportionately impacted by the effects of tobacco use.
Tony Klein, MPA, NCACII
Consultant and Clinical Trainer
Tony has over thirty years of administrative, clinical, and training experience in behavioral health services. He has a Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in Healthcare Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development/Addiction Studies, both from the State University of New York. Known for his advocacy to address tobacco use disorder for persons with mental and substance use disorders, he develops curriculum and program integration strategies to support evidence-based tobacco interventions anchored in the principles of recovery-oriented care.
Katie Gassner, NCTTP
Consultant and Independent Contractor, Nicotine Free Northwest PA
Katie has sixteen years’ experience collaborating with rural community and clinical behavioral health services. She is a Nationally Certified Tobacco Treatment Professional who specializes in fostering relationships with grassroots organizations to integrate the use of evidence-based tobacco interventions to improve treatment outcomes. She builds innovative partnerships to develop, advance policies, and increase public protections on behalf of Pennsylvania’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Programs.
Roland Lamb, M.A.
Behavioral Health Consultant
Roland Lamb, M.A. has worked in substance use disorder treatment and behavioral health services for close to fifty years in a wide range of direct care, supervision, and administrative positions, with a current focus on consultation and teaching. He is recognized for his work in cross system management engaging diverse work cultures. For the last thirty years, Roland has been very involved in the development and implementation of integrated behavioral health models including playing a significant role in Philadelphia’s transformation to a Recovery Oriented System of Care. More recently, he helped to design a strategic plan to move the System to a population health approach focusing on trauma, equity, and community.
Due to his many contributions to the field, Roland has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards. Most notably, in 2010 he received the Nyswander/Dole award by the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, in 2011 the Vernon Johnson Award by Faces and Voices of Recovery, in 2016 the Conversation Inspiration Award by Be A Part of The Conversation, and in 2022 a Community Service Award presented by the Philadelphia Alliance of Providers.